As captain of the Senators, Daniel Alfredsson has had input in the hiring of a new coach.

And the respected veteran has told GM Bryan Murray that, contrary to the popular opinion, the team does not need a strict, butt-kicking disciplinarian.

"(Murray) doesn't consult me ... what would I know about hiring a coach ... but I know what's going on," Alfredsson explained to Sun Media last night at Ringside For Youth, a popular fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ottawa that he has sponsored the past five years. "I think we just need a guy who has a passion for the game, a guy who likes to teach.

"I've read we need a screamer and a yeller. I don't think that's necessary. We need a guy who can sell what he preaches. Someone who has a strong sense of how the game should be played and can pass that along to the players. He has to have a passion and believe in what he's doing."

The belief is that Pete DeBoer's demands of a four-year contract were refused by the Senators, and the new coach will be Craig Hartsburg, with a formal announcement coming as soon as today.

Alfredsson will be around to welcome the new bench boss, as he and his family will not be making their annual, summer trip to their native Sweden. That's because wife Bibi last week gave birth to their third son, whom they've named Fenix.

"We liked Felix, but in Sweden that's a ketchup, like Heinz," Alfredsson said with a chuckle.

The only trip Alfredsson has planned before training camp is to the British Open, where he'll bring his dad Hasse for his 60th birthday present.

Along with preparing for the upcoming season, Alfredsson's work obligation will be to announce the name of the Senators' first pick at the June 20-21 NHL entry draft, which is being held at Scotiabank Place.

RINGSIDE FOR YOUTH

Meanwhile, Alfredsson's involvement with Ringside For Youth is substantial. He has sponsored the event for five years now, ever since being approached by Steve Gallant, a fellow member at the Royal Ottawa golf club. Gallant is on the event's board of directors.

While Hasse Alfredsson did some boxing in his youth, Alfredsson picked Ringside For Youth primarily because of the charity it supports.

The night, which includes a dinner, auction and amateur fight card, is held at Lansdowne Park's Aberdeen Pavillion and is a highlight on Ottawa's social calendar.

Now 14 years old, it has raised well over $1 million.

"I looked at it and thought it was a good fit for me," Alfredsson said of his donation and the organization he ties his name to. "It's not just the boxing, but more about the Boys and Girls Club. It's something I really look forward to every year. It's a formal-informal event where you can have a good time and meet friends and business associates."

In last night's first fight, at the Light Welterweight (145- lb.) category, the Beaver Boxing Club's Jeremy Plunkett won a referee-stopped contest in the third round against James Fertie of The Boxing Factory in Lindsay.

At the 141-lb. class, Ontario Junior Provincial light welterweight champion Henry Lopez of the Beaver Boxing Club won a split decision over Montreal Ring 83's Elvis Sheqar, the silver medalist at the Canadian championships.